Booth Museum Day 2: Hardwood Paneling

"Down Home" - 8" x 10" - oil

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It's Saturday morning in Cartersville, GA. In only a few hours the show will open and the fans will pour in. O.K. I honestly have no idea if there will be any "fan fair" or even a decent turnout. Ezra, Thomas, Alex and I walked about town and found a small diner for a Saturday brunch. Mmmm mmm them some good vittles. Afterwards we headed up to the exhibition where Thomas proceeded to touch up one of his paintings on the spot. This was truly a site to see. We ventured to the museum bookstore and some of the other exhibits and then headed back to the hotel.

Once I got back to my room I realized that I had an extra three hours until the show. What am I going to do with all of that time. Fortunately a Steven Seagal/Jean-Claude Van Damme marathon had just begun. Between Seagal going "Out for Justice" and ironing my clothes I was fairly busy. I wasn't trying to look like a million bucks but I wanted to at least look like a hundred dollars. Everyone kind of just spread out after entering the museum. Thomas had to tend to his adoring friends and family. I just wanted to find somewhere to sit. My heart races at every art event that I'm involved in. It's nerve racking and on top of that where is everyone...the show started minutes ago. It wasn't long before that room was packed. There was even a news crew from ABC's Atlanta affiliate. Soon people were asking me about my work and seemed genuinely interested. I couldn't believe how many people were drawn to my painting. The compliments came tumbling in but I remained grounded...somehow.

What's next? That's right, the panel discussion. As I'm walking to the auditorium, one of the docents gives me this wonderful hug and plants a big one right on my cheek while simultaneously walking with me. Well, the panel discussion seemed to go on forever but it's always like that when you're the last one in line to speak (alphabetical.) What could I possibly have to say? I can't remember what I said... it was all a blur...a wonderful blur. Maybe I blacked out...who knows. Anyway, the show itself was a total success and I was told that it was the biggest turnout that the museum has ever had for an exhibit.

The night ended with dinner at D Morgan's. Exquisite food but also good company. I was seated next to Rae Weimer and two wonderful couples who were also art collectors. Well, I spilled my guts as they wanted to know more about me. I never say the right thing at these events and just find myself flustered. I didn't want to talk to them as if I'm trying to sell them a timeshare so I just took it easy. The night started to wrap up just before dessert and some of us said our goodbyes at the restaurant and some when we got back to the hotel. It's rare to get this much talent together for one show but it sure would be nice to get the ol'gang back together someday.

Booth Museum Day 1: Young Buckaroo

"Grazing #3" - 8" x 10" - oil

This past weekend was very exciting. I was in Georgia for the weekend to attend "The Black West" exhibit at the Booth Western Art Museum. This exhibit was the first of it's kind and turned out to be a huge success. Honestly, I didn't think that the show was going to be a big deal...how wrong was I?

The adventure started at the airport as I'm making my way to baggage claim. As I get to the top of the escalator a loud roar of applause starts...wow. Turns out it was for the soldiers that were a few feet in front of me. Nonetheless it was exciting to see someone holding a sign with my name on it...how cool. It was Seth Hopkins, the executive director of the museum with Kim and Michael Godfrey (one of my art heroes). This was already exciting. Seth gave us the show catalogs and I quickly saw that I was going to stand out. It wasn't long before Michael asked the million dollar question... "How old are you?" I paused for a second and confirmed that the date of birth in the catalog was not a typo. I happen to be the youngest artist in the show by twenty years. This wasn't a problem for me but I knew that my age would come up again.

As we pulled up to the museum I was in awe. The awe factor only increased as we walked towards and into the museum. I quickly realized that this was a first class operation. After a quick lunch, we headed upstairs to see the show. WOW! It was just amazing... not just the amount of work but the quality as well. I didn't see my work immediately which worried me. Is this all a weird twisted dream? Am I going to soon find myself naked in the middle of downtown Columbus?

After the tour of the show I ran into my friend and mentor Alex Bostic. He was joined by the awesome Thomas Blackshear and Ezra Tucker. Thomas didn't waste any time..."How old are you?" I quickly went on the defensive confirming my age but he let me know that he wasn't giving me a hard time, but was impressed. I became a fly on the wall as I hung on the words of every artist in the show. It was great to be around so much wisdom. One of the museums curators Jeff Donaldson gave Michael, Kim and I the behind the scenes tour. This is where I met the delightful Rae Weimer. She really made me feel comfortable during the weekend.

After taking a break at the hotel a few of us headed over to the Cartersville Science Museum to hear a lecture by artist Ed Dwight. He was talking at the science museum because prior to his art career he was the first black astronaut candidate. After the lecture I was able to meet all of the artists (Ernest Varner, Ivan Stewart and Gil Ashby) in attendance during the group dinner at the hotel. During the dinner my head was just spinning while trying to keep up with all of the conversations at the table. It wasn't long after the dinner before I crashed in my room from excitement overload. Who knows what's in store tomorrow.

The Legend of Tennessee Walker

"Weathered" - 6" x 6" - oil

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This piece was among the many paintings that spawned from a road trip to Tennessee. The plan is to take about twenty or thirty of these small paintings and make them larger. If all goes right, I can see this one as a 30" x 30". All of this work is geared towards my show later in the year at the Glave Kocen Gallery.

In the additional news column, I'll be in Cartersville, GA for the weekend to participate in a group show at the Booth Western Art Museum. I was notified of my acceptance several months ago but struggled with whether or not to participate. At the time it was more of a hassle than anything, but after some thought and seeing the awesome list of artists that I was among I decided to jump in.

You got to know when to hold em'

"By the Bay" - 5" x 7" - oil

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The bulk of the week was spent touching up a group of paintings to be included in the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts traveling exhibition. How did you get an exhibition with the Virginia Museum Steven? I'm glad you asked.

About a year ago I entered an open competition at the Fredericksburg Center for the Creative Arts that I came across in the Art Calendar. The show included about four of my most recent paintings. I hate entering competitions because it feels like such a gamble but on the other hand...what do I have to lose (certainly not pride or dignity). The competition was more than worthwhile as the juror (thanks Gina) selected two of my entries for awards at the opening. At the time, she was in charge of the VMFA's statewide traveling exhibitions. Fortunately for me I decided to go to the opening. We talked at the show and before I knew what was going on she was offering me my own traveling exhibition with the museum. To make a long story slightly less long, since then I've been busting my hump to make twenty-two awesome paintings for the show.

Lessons Learned:

Enter shows (they do help)

Go to openings (you never know who you'll meet)

When opportunity knocks...get up and answer the door

Sold!...to the Pixelated Character up Front

"The Midwest" - 5" x 7" - oil

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This past weekend I went to San Francisco to attend the Totoro Forest Project auction at the Pixar Animation Studio. I was invited by my good friend and fellow artist David Leonard (there's your plug David!) to attend the weekend long event. The Totoro Forest Foundation was started to raise money to help save Japan's Sayama Forrest. Over 200 artist (many of which worked for Pixar) participated in the event, with some coming from as far as London, Japan and even New Jersey.

Since I was not an active participant in the auction I didn't have to do as much "schmoozing" as others. I was able to really study the artwork and enjoy the company of some great artists. All and all the weekend turned out to be very inspiring...an artist therapy retreat if you will.

Big Bad Mutha Nature

"Dorothy" 22" x 28" - oil

Since the tornado outbreak in Petersburg, Virginia (30 minutes south of Richmond) and the string of storms throughout the Midwest, I've realized that nature can strike anywhere and at anytime regardless of region. These events happen only a few weeks before I prepare for my trip to Columbus, Ohio.

This is the first time that I have shown this painting since it's completion several months ago. Initially I feared that people would not be able to get past the fact that it's a tornado and not one of my normal country scene. Sometimes you've just got to stir the pot and serve it.

"Hope for the best and prepare for the worst"

With Rust / Without Reason

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"Big Red" - 24" x 48" - oil

Do I need an reason to paint a big rusty run-down truck? Apparently not.

Steven Walker Goes West

"Superstitious" -24" x 36" - oil

A few weeks ago my good friend Alex gave me a heads up on a western art show. Although the bulk of my work is based on Virginia landscapes I decided to dive into painting a few western landscapes. I wouldn't normally create paintings for themed shows or contests because that usually means that I can't include them with the rest of my work This particular occasion seemed like a chance to showcase my landscapes to a new audience and paint on a slightly larger scale. The painting above is titled "Superstitious" and is the smallest of the three west paintings that I plan to make for this show.